Improving the SMEs Access to Trade Finance DRAFT
in the OIC Member States
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The mapping exercise may be dynamic – map one jurisdiction to another for six months, the
change the twinning criteria based on a shift in priorities or a change in the element of trade
and trade finance that is being assessed or developed.
This recommendation involves an initial step of analysis and matching of jurisdictions,
followed by the formalization or relationships and dynamics in the form of collaborative and
mutually supportive twinning programs. The initial study, covering all OIC Member States, and
identifying twin jurisdictions for each, could be completed on the basis of a fixed-price
research engagement, for perhaps $40-60,000.
Recommendation 5: Undertake an IFI and ECA Best Practices Study
The critical importance of the role of IFIs and ECAs has been discussed in some detail, both
with reference to the global system and with reference to OIC Member States specifically.
Not all OIC Member States have developed an export credit agency, nor are all OIC Member
States equally conversant with or active in the trade finance programs of international
financial institutions, including ITFC.
It is recommended that specific analysis be undertaken to determine the key success factors of
the leading IFI trade finance programs, with a view to incorporating best practices into the
activities of ITFC, ICIEC and others. Consider the value of undertaking a program review
around the Aman Union, to determine whether there are opportunities to replicate and
enhance this credit risk initiative with a complementary union focused on the collaborative
provision of liquidity and financing.
There is urgency in developing a robust infrastructure and support network around trade
finance in OIC Member States, and the role of ECAs and IFIs in such areas is expanding. OIC
Member States will benefit from a structured analysis of ECA and IFI best practices both within
OIC Member States and more broadly among leading trading nations and users of ECA credit
and cover.
As above, the initial step in this recommendation involves study and analysis. An IFI/ECA Best
Practices study can leverage some degree of existing material, but it is clear that a custom view
will be necessary, and that primary interaction with key stakeholders will be facilitated to the
degree possible.
An assessment of this type, with the probable significant scope of comparative analysis might
be completed by domain experts for $200,000.
Recommendation 6: Training and Competency Development
Knowledge gaps among policy makers, SMEs and mid-market businesses, and bankers,
motivate the need for significant focus on training, on the development of competencies and
capabilities in trade and supply chain finance.
It is recommended that OIC Member States undertake targeted capacity and competency
development training initiatives, even at a high level initially, with invited bankers, policy